HOME & GARDEN

by Camy Reynolds • camy@myjarrell.com

Tips and Tricks for Gardening Success

Crystal Zaniewski believes gardening is as much about when and where you are growing as the what and how. This is particuarly important given the unpredictable weather and varying soil types in Central Texas.

Crystal and her family have lived in Jarrell for five years, and, while her husband has always been the primary gardener of the family, her own love of it has grown over the past two years. "I've had a lot of personal transitions and the garden gives me a sense of purpose. It truly saved my life and keeps me sane."

Right now, Crystal is growing green beans, onions, herbs, zucchini, squash, blackberries, watermelon, artichokes, beets, peppers, tomatoes, corn, grapes, plums, figs, strawberries, lettuce, avocados, potatoes, and a variety of flowers.

Her intent is to minimize the family's need to visit the grocery store and eat only what they produce on their own land. Not only does she enjoy knowing where her food comes from, she is pleased that it is also healthier and cheaper.

WHEN TO PLANT

She started with one raised flower bed and, this year, has expanded to 13. She prefers to plant in the Fall, despite most saying Spring is the best time to start your garden. "The guides may say full sun but that doesn’t necessarily mean full Texas sun. I recommend planting in the Fall so by the time the intense heat of Summer rolls around, your plants are well established and more likely to survive." She also cautions gardeners not to fall short by a lack of watering, which is extremely difficult to keep up with during the summer.

Crystal suggests those new to gardening start with lettuce and herbs, "It's best to start small and simple, being sure to grow things you know you will eat. Plus, I have grown to rely on the Texas A&M Ag Extension as a great resource to learn which fruits and vegetables are grown best in each season."

WHERE TO PLANT

Even within Central Texas, there are variations in soil, water, and environmental factors that can affect your garden. Crystal recommends checking with local nurseries, "Most typically carry plants that grow well where the nursery is located, particularly those that can sustain themselves in our hot summers."

She adds that soil is key. "If you have rocky or caliche type soil, a raised bed would be your best option as you can pick your own soil. You can purchase raised organic bed soil from a local nursery or large box stores like Home Depot, and give your flower beds the perfect base. Over time, as you build your soil, it just gets better and better."

She also adds composite to her soil each year to increase the quality.

WHAT TO PLANT

Crystal affirms we don’t have to have a green thumb to be successful. "All it takes is a little bit of attention, good soil, and water. It’s very much trial and error and just figuring out what works best for you."

She says lettuce is a great choice for beginners. It only takes about six weeks to grow and, fun fact, you can cut off the top of it with scissors to make yourself a salad and it will continue to grow back, just like hair.

HOME & GARDEN

An herb garden is also a good beginner project and Crystal recommends starting with cilantro. "Something many don’t know about cilantro is that in the late Spring or early Summer it goes to seed or flower and turns into coriander. Rosemary is another great choice; it requires virtually zero attention and it will still produce well."

HOW TO PLANT

Gardening can most definitely be a family activity. Crystal’s children Kylee, Brenden, and Zoey enjoy harvesting and watering and get excited to choose what to plant in their own “kid” garden. She recommends a good water, about 5-7 minutes for a raised bed. "A great perk to a raised bed," she says, "is that you can’t really overwater since the water is able to drain down like it does in a flower pot. It’s best to water in the morning, but if you choose to water in the middle of the day avoid spraying the leaves because the heat could cause them to burn." She adds, for best results, water at the base of the plants.

For those who are not ready to commit to a full flower bed, Crystal recommends beginning with a few five-gallon buckets. "Just choose a few vegetables and plant one to each bucket. You’d be surprised how much you can grow in such a small space. An added benefit to using the 5-gallon buckets is you can remove them from the sun when you need to."

Her choice for bucket planting is tomatoes. "They require a lot of sun but they have a tendency to burn in our hot Texas sun. That's where the beauty of the buckets comes in; you can move easily them around to get some shade when they need it."

SHERIFF'S POSSE RODEO

IS BACK

Rodeo fans will relish the return of the Williamson County Sheriff's Posse Rodeo to Solana Park later this month (See ad on page 13). Thanks to a generous donation of 20 acres by the Micheaux “Solana Ranch” family, the Williamson County Sheriff’s Posse relocated to Jarrell in 2019 and delighted a sell-out crowd with dozens of cowboy events and entertainers.

Until 2018, the rodeo was held at the San Gabriel arena in Georgetown, and COVID brought about a cancellation in 2020, but that didn't stop the Sheriff's Posse from keeping a 77-year tradition in motion, and tickets are on sale now.

A LITTLE HISTORY

The Posse was formed in 1943, and during WWII, the WCSP members helped out the Williamson County Sheriff’s office as so many of the men were off to war.

As the years passed and the WCSP was not needed as much to support the Sheriff’s Department in their official duties, the direction of the Posse changed. More recently, the WCSP helped during the Jarrell tornado recovery, search and rescue efforts for missing Rachel Cooke, and animal relief during the Bastrop fires.

Photos by Nancy Wilkins Spur of the Moment Photography

Photo courtesy WCSP Rodeo

Posse Sergeant Michael Cooper says 2021 is special not only because they are able to enjoy a sell-out crowd again, but also because it will be held in a brand new, permanent arena. Plus, the ropers, racers, and busters scheduled to appear include some of the top cowboys and cowgirls from Texas and Louisiana.

The arena attractions also include open riding events—Mutton Busting for youngsters who want to get a taste of the cowboy life, and Saddle Steering for teams 16 and older.

Once the gates open, there will be live music, plenty of food by 5T BBQ and El Pitayo Mexican Kitchen, and a mix of food trucks to choose from; bounce houses, clothing and craft booths, and a wonderfully kitschy jail provided by the Jarrell Community Library for fun photo ops. There will also be tractors from Ewald Kabota on display.

Michael says the Posse is also very pleased to be partnering with Austin Fire Protection, Tejas Meat Supply, Mesquite Creek Outfitters, and Golden Rule Restaurant, all helping to give Jarrell a taste of the Old West for the weekend.

Schedule and ticket details on Page 13.